The reMarkable Paper Pro can now run Android 13, sort of… an unofficial, work-in-progress port of the software has been showcased running on the tablet by an ingenious YouTuber.
The project has moved well beyond a basic proof of concept and Android can now connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It can also control the Paper Pro’s front light, recognise the reMarkable pen, and support USB connectivity. Even the sleep cover and pen wake-up functions work. It all looks very impressive.
One of the most useful additions is the ability to switch between Android and reMarkable’s native software. The creator says switching to the stock interface takes roughly 30 seconds, while returning to Android is slightly faster. That makes it practical to use both systems rather than treating Android as a replacement for reMarkable’s software.
Android also opens the door to apps that aren’t available natively on the Paper Pro. Kindle, Audible, browsers and productivity apps can be installed, while Bluetooth keyboards can be used with supported applications. The creator specifically highlights Kindle for accessing books and comics without manually transferring files to the tablet.
The pen experience has received considerable attention. A dedicated low-latency pen mode allows the Paper Pro’s stylus to work in third-party Android apps such as OneNote. The implementation isn’t limited to OneNote, either. The creator says it works with basically any Android app that accepts pen input.
Performance is still limited by the Paper Pro’s hardware. It has only 2GB of RAM. Its Gallery 3 E Ink display remains considerably slower than E Ink Carta or Kaleido panels. GPU acceleration and a dedicated fast-refresh mode have nevertheless made Android feel much more usable. However, occasional rendering defects remain. Some demanding apps, including Obsidian, are still too much for the hardware.
Battery performance has also improved considerably. Deep sleep now reportedly drains around 0.3% per hour. Earlier in development, regular standby drained around 3% per hour.
Of course, there’s a catch
There is a catch, though. Installing Android requires developer mode, and normal reMarkable software updates can overwrite the storage used by the Android installation. The port therefore needs to be restored after an update.
The creator hasn’t released the port publicly yet. Installation, recovery and further testing are still needed. For now, though, the project shows that the Paper Pro can combine reMarkable’s focused note-taking experience with the flexibility of Android. Importantly, this can be achieved without completely giving up either.
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